The Wichmann name remains associated with local funeral homes, though the family is no longer involved. We took a turn back through the archives to find out more about this long-standing establishment.
According to an article in the March 19, 1931 Post-Crescent, the furniture and funeral services business was founded in 1898 by Louis C. Wichmann and Joseph Grassburger and known as the Grassburger-Wichmann store. It was at 531 W. College Ave., Appleton, and run by the two men until 1906, when Grassburger’s position was taken by Joseph Kronser. They operated as Wichmann and Kronser Co. until 1915, at which point Wichmann became the sole proprietor.
In 1922, Wichmann built a new store just a couple doors down, at 513 W. College Ave., and included funeral parlors on the third floor. Just a year later, Wichmann died, leaving his daughter, Lauretta Wichmann, as manager. By 1926, Louis’ son, Earl, took over as manager after he graduated from high school…